A "statistical error" that resulted in an upper limit being set for daily folic acid intake may have contributed to hundreds of children being born with common birth defects, scientists say.

Health officials should set targets for the reduction of sugar in fizzy drinks, experts have said after new research highlighted the “shockingly high and unnecessary” levels of sugar in cans of fizzy drinks.

THE Irish Heart Foundation has dismissed as “ludicrous” a plan by one of Britain’s leading medical experts to give everyone over the age of 55 drugs to lower their blood pressure.